16 Best Things to Do in Palawan 2026: El Nido, Coron & More
Key Takeaways: Palawan’s best experiences divide by location — El Nido delivers island hopping and lagoons, Coron delivers wreck diving and crater lakes, Puerto Princesa delivers the underground river and city day trips. Budget travelers can do most activities for PHP 1,500–2,500/day on tours; the Underground River requires booking 2–4 weeks ahead in peak season. Snorkeling and beach days are free once you’ve paid the PHP 200 daily marine entry fee in El Nido.
El Nido’s Bacuit Archipelago contains 45 islands across 900 km² of protected marine sanctuary. The 4 standard island hopping tours (A, B, C, D) cover different island clusters — Tour A covers the most-photographed lagoons (Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon). Coron’s wreck dive sites include 12 confirmed WWII Japanese ships sunk on September 24, 1944, during Operation Musketeer, ranging from 10m to 42m depth. Kayangan Lake in Coron holds a “cleanest lake in Asia” designation from the National Waterways Commission survey.
For planning context, see Palawan Travel Guide. For accommodation near activities, see Palawan Hotels. For a day-by-day schedule, see Palawan Itinerary.
El Nido’s four island hopping tours were deliberately split to distribute boats across different island clusters and reduce congestion at the most-visited lagoons. Tour A covers the most photographed spots and gets the busiest boats — tours B, C, and D consistently have fewer boats at each stop, which matters significantly at spots like Hidden Beach (Tour C) where crowd density determines water clarity.
El Nido Activities
1. Island Hopping Tour A (Big Lagoon & Small Lagoon)
Tour A is El Nido’s most iconic — and most popular — experience. The centerpiece is Big Lagoon (entered by kayak, enclosed by vertical limestone walls) and Small Lagoon (even narrower passage, accessed via kayak through a gap in the cliff face). Tour A also includes Secret Lagoon (walk through a small rock hole to a hidden beach) and Shimizu Island for snorkeling.
How to book: Any El Nido town tour operator; shared tours PHP 1,500–2,000 including lunch, kayak hire, and snorkel gear. Private tours PHP 5,000–8,000 for the boat.
Tip: Arrive at the pier by 7:30am — all tours leave around the same time and the lagoons get crowded by mid-morning. Early boats get clearer water and fewer people.
2. Island Hopping Tour C (Hidden Beach & Matinloc Shrine)
Tour C reaches the most scenic spots in the Bacuit Archipelago. Hidden Beach sits inside a cove completely ringed by limestone — only accessible by swimming through a small gap. Matinloc Island has a clifftop Catholic shrine with one of Palawan’s best views. Secret Beach (also Tour C) involves swimming through an underwater gap at the cliff base — not for non-swimmers.
Cost: PHP 1,500–2,000 shared, PHP 5,500–9,000 private.
3. Nacpan Beach & Twin Beach
Nacpan is El Nido’s best mainland beach — a 4km stretch of white sand with almost no commercial development and minimal crowds compared to town beaches. Twin Beach is a 5-minute walk over the headland. No island hopping needed — accessible by habal-habal from El Nido town (~40min, PHP 300–500 round trip).
Best for: Spending a full day without a tour itinerary. Bring food and water — facilities are basic.
4. Kayak to Helicopter Island
Helicopter Island (Dilumacad Island) is named for its helicopter silhouette shape when viewed from the water. Reachable as part of Tour B or independently by kayak from Las Cabanas Beach (45min). The beach on the island’s south side has good snorkeling. Entrance fee PHP 100.
5. Sunset at Las Cabanas Beach
Las Cabanas is El Nido’s closest resort beach (2km south of town, tricycle PHP 30–50). The zipline over the sea (PHP 250) is a sunset activity. The beach bar scene starts from 17:00 — less crowded than town, better sunset angle.
Coron Activities
6. Diving the WWII Wrecks
Coron’s main draw is wreck diving in the Coron Bay — 12 identifiable ships from the September 1944 Imperial Japanese Naval air fleet. Top wrecks for divers:
Okikawa Maru (transport ship, 24–42m depth, 160m long) — Coron’s largest wreck and a full-penetration dive for advanced divers. Covered in soft corals, home to large grouper.
Irako Maru (refrigerated transport, 40m max depth) — excellent coral growth, resident turtles on the deck.
Kogyo Maru (armed transport, 30–38m) — cargo holds still contain machinery.
Skeleton Wreck (10m, Lusong Gunboat) — accessible to snorkelers; the ship’s outline is visible from the surface on a calm day.
How to dive: PADI Divemaster-led trips from Coron town operators (PHP 1,500–2,500/dive). Dive centers: Dive Right in Coron, Discovery Divers.
7. Kayangan Lake
The most visited lake in Coron — accessed via a 5-minute concrete staircase climb and then a short walk. The view from the top of the stairs (limestone cliffs framing the lake) is one of Palawan’s most photographed images. The lake itself: crystal-clear freshwater over 50m deep, visibility 15–20m, sharp thermocline at 8m. Snorkeling only (no scuba permitted).
Fee: PHP 200. Best time: 7–9am before tour groups arrive. Most tours reach Kayangan between 9–10am — arriving independently early avoids the crowd.
8. Twin Lagoon
Two connected lagoons — the outer accessible by boat, the inner via a low rock passage (swim-through or step-through depending on tide). The inner lagoon is warmer and more sheltered. Popular snorkeling spot. Part of most Coron island hopping packages or bookable as separate boat charter.
9. Barracuda Lake
A crater lake beside the sea — the geological formation means it has a halocline (salt/fresh water layer) AND a thermocline: warm freshwater surface, then a transition to cooler denser saltwater below 15m. Scuba divers descend through temperature layers — a disorienting but memorable dive. Snorkeling permitted in the upper layer. Fee PHP 200.
10. Coron Island Hopping
Coron town operators offer full-day island hopping routes combining Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Barracuda Lake, CYC Beach, and Skeleton Wreck. Cost: PHP 1,500–2,000 per person shared, PHP 5,000–7,000 private boat. The shared routes are well-organized — start by 8am to reach Kayangan Lake before the crowd peak.
Puerto Princesa Activities
11. Puerto Princesa Underground River
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature — an 8.2km navigable underground river through massive caves. Tours cover 4km of the navigable section by paddle boat. The cave contains bat colonies, swiftlets, stalactites, and rock formations up to 20m high.
How to book: Must book in advance — the Philippine Tourism Office restricts daily visitors. Booking via accredited Puerto Princesa city tourism operators is safest. Total cost: PHP 600 park fee + PHP 1,000–1,800 van transport from PP.
Tip: Book minimum 1 week ahead; 3–4 weeks ahead November–February. Walk-ins without permits are turned away.
12. Honda Bay Island Hopping
3 small islands (Pandan Island, Luli Island, Starfish Island) a short boat ride from Puerto Princesa. Snorkeling, beach time, and seafood lunch. Less dramatic than El Nido but convenient if transiting through PP. Cost: PHP 1,200–2,000 including boat and basic lunch.
13. City Tour — Crocodile Farm & Mitra’s Ranch
Puerto Princesa Crocodile Farm houses 900+ crocodiles including some of the largest in captivity. Mitra’s Ranch is a hillside viewpoint over Palawan’s coastline. Both can be combined in a half-day city tour (PHP 400–600 per person).
Cross-Area Activities
14. Freediving and PADI Courses
El Nido and Coron both have PADI Open Water courses (PHP 18,000–25,000, 3–4 days) and freediving courses (PHP 10,000–15,000 for basic level, AIDA 2★). Visibility in Palawan’s waters makes it a top location for learning. Recommended: Liquid Dive Adventures (El Nido), Discovery Divers (Coron).
15. Mangrove Tours
El Nido’s Las Cabanas area has guided mangrove kayak tours (PHP 500–800) through the Bacuit Bay mangrove systems. Not a primary highlight, but good for a rest day or combined with Nacpan Beach. Birdwatching possible (Palawan peacock-pheasant, Palawan hornbill).
16. Firefly Watching at New Ibajay River
Seasonal mangrove night experience available from El Nido — boat tour to view fireflies along the riverbanks at dusk (PHP 500–700 per person). Runs October–March when the mangroves are in peak condition. Bookable through El Nido tour operators.
Activity Costs Summary
| Activity | Location | Cost (PHP) |
|---|---|---|
| Island Hopping Tour A/B/C/D (shared) | El Nido | 1,500–2,000 |
| Island Hopping (private boat) | El Nido | 5,000–9,000 |
| Underground River | Puerto Princesa | 1,600–2,400 total |
| Kayangan Lake entrance | Coron | 200 |
| Wreck dive (single) | Coron | 1,500–2,500 |
| PADI Open Water course | El Nido / Coron | 18,000–25,000 |
| Honda Bay hopping | Puerto Princesa | 1,200–2,000 |
| Nacpan Beach (transport) | El Nido | 300–500 round trip |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which island hopping tour in El Nido is best?
Tour A is the most popular for good reason — Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon are genuinely spectacular. Tour C is the best for scenery (Hidden Beach, Matinloc shrine views) and suits travelers who’ve done Tour A. Do Tour A first if choosing one; add Tour C if you have a second day.
Do I need to be a good swimmer to enjoy Palawan?
Not necessarily. Most island hopping tours provide life jackets. Kayangan Lake and Twin Lagoon in Coron are accessible to non-swimmers with a life jacket. Secret Lagoon (Tour A) and Secret Beach (Tour C) in El Nido require swimming through rock gaps — skip those stops if not comfortable.
Is snorkeling better in El Nido or Coron?
Coron for coral diversity and wreck snorkeling (Skeleton Wreck at 10m). El Nido for visual drama (lagoons, limestone). Both have excellent visibility. Non-divers get more from El Nido’s island hopping; divers get more from Coron’s underwater sites.
Can I visit El Nido and Coron in one trip?
Yes — the fast ferry between El Nido and Coron runs seasonally (~6–8h, PHP 2,200–3,500). Most travelers spend 4–5 days in each, then fly home from Coron or back to Puerto Princesa. Confirm ferry schedules in advance as they vary by season.
When do island hopping tours run?
Year-round in theory, but November to May is reliable. June to October, tours frequently cancel due to rough seas (southwest monsoon). Always confirm departure the evening before — operators will advise you directly.
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Sources:
1. El Nido Municipal Tourism — Bacuit Archipelago information, 2025
2. PADI dive site directory — Coron wreck diving, 2024
3. Philippine Department of Tourism — El Nido travel guide, 2025
